EARLY COMPOSERS

Early composers of the late 1800s and early 1900s, such as, REUBEN CALUZA – John Knox Bokwe with Plea for Africa, Enoch Sontonga with Nkosi sikele’ iAfrika (God save Africa), Reuben Caluza SILUSAPHO LWASE AFRIKA/ with Silusapho lwase Afrika/iLand Act (We are the children ILAND ACT of Africa) and Benjamin Tyamzashe with Hay’ abant’ abamnyama (Alas the black people), combined Christian hymnody with indigenous musical traditions to give birth Reuben Caluza’s protest song against the 1913 Land Act, to songs that commented on and protested against the Silusapho Lwase Afrika/iLand Act, was adopted by the dispossession and oppression of black people. In the 1930s ANC as its anthem, until it was replaced by Nkosi Sikel’ and 1940s composers such as Hamilton John Masiza with iAfrika in 1925. Vukani Mawethu (Arise my people), Joshua P Mohapeloa with U ea Kae (Where are you going?) and Michael ILAND ACT / USAPHO LWASE AFRIKA Mosoeu Moerane with Fatse la heso (My Country) also LAND ACT commented on the injustices in . Si khalela iZwe lakithi We cry for our land Mzulu nomXhosa nomSuthu hlanganani Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho unite S’khala ngeLand Act We are mad over the Land Act ...

JOSHUA P MOHAPELOA – U EA KAE (WHERE ARE YOU GOING?)

A song by Joshua P. Mohapeloa, U Ea Kae (Where Are You Going), which called on Africans to be prepared to defend

John Knox Bokwe (3rd from left) at Lovedale Institution themselves, and Tyamzashe’s Ivoti, (The Vote), a song Cory Library/AfricaMediaOnline urging Africans to resist the removal of their voting rights in the Cape, were both popular at eisteddfodau around ENOCH SONTONGA – the country in the early 1930s. Michael Moerane, who composed Fatse la heso (My Country), was the rst black NKOSI SIKELE’ IAFRIKA person to obtain a degree in music at a South African university. Enoch M. Sontonga’s composition of 1897, Nkosi Sikele’ iAfrika, a prayer for help and blessings under repressive So, the composers that I have learned more from are conditions, was sung at the rst meeting of the South people of Mohapeloa’s generation. He and Michael African Native National Congress (later the African Moerane were the rst. They wrote in tonic sol-fa and National Congress) on 8 January 1912, by Reuben T. were able to create works, choral pieces that are Caluza’s Ohlange Institute Choir. The African National performed to this day, using a very limited tool; a very Congress (ANC) adopted the song as its of cial anthem limited technique but that could speak simultaneously in 1925. In 1927, Xhosa-speaking poet, Samuel E. Mqhayi, in the classical and in the traditional sense. And those added seven more verses to it and Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika scores I still use today to get inspiration. became a symbol of the struggle for liberation in South Interview with Neo Muyanga Africa. It was adopted by several other countries in Africa, including and . JAMES LA GUMA

Dark Folks Arise, an anthem of the National Liberation League (NLL) composed by Cape Town trade unionist, James la Guma, is not well known. Born in Bloemfontein in 1894, La Guma started his rst job at a Parow bakery when he was only eight years old. He became Secretary General of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) in 1923. He was also a member of the Communist Party and later secretary of the Cape Town branch of the ANC.

DARK FOLKS ARISE Dark folks arise! The long night is over. Faint in the East, behold the day appear.

James La Guma Out of your evil dream of toil and sorrow, UWC - Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives Arise ye dark folks, for the day is here, From each wretched slum, let the loud cry come Arise ye dark folks for the day is here

VUYISILE MINI

Basoba we Verwoerd, Nants’ iNdod’ emnyama (Beware Verwoerd, here’s the black man) is a well-known protest song and one of many composed by . Mini, born in in 1920, had been a trade union organizer and ANC member. Other songs by Mini include Izakunyathel’ iAfrica (Africa will trample you) and Thath' umthwalo (‘Take up your luggage’). Mini was recruited into and became a member of the Eastern Cape High Command. He was arrested on 10 May 1963, together with Wilson Khayinga and Zinakile Mkaba. They were charged with sabotage and complicity in the death of an alleged police informer. Mini, Khayinga and Mkaba were hanged in the Central on 6 November 1964. The three men courageously sang freedom songs even as they

Vuyisile Mini were being led to the gallows. John Frederick Harris of the UWC - Eli Weinberg, UWC- Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives African Resistance Movement (ARM), the only white person to be hanged for treason in South Africa, went to the gallows singing We shall overcome on 1 April 1965. , a member of uMkhonto we Sizwe, after whom the ANC’s Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College in Tanzania was named, also went to the gallows singing a freedom song on 6 April 1979.

But then Mini and the three were put into that cell for the last week. And they did a lot of singing he had a beautiful voice. And he sang all the ANC songs. And for me it was terribly upsetting because I knew what was coming. And on the morning when they were hanged…people could hear their singing going down the corridor as they were going to their death, the hanging section. It’s the worst moment of my imprisonment. So songs were absolutely integral to every aspect. And you know, I wish I remembered better what songs they were singing. Interview with Prof. Ben Turok

From 1948 the Nationalist Party led government began to implement the policy of apartheid by introducing a range of race laws and regulations that touched every aspect of PICK UP THE EARPHONES TO social life in South Africa. LISTEN TO SONGS OF FREEDOM

These included laws that: separated people into different ‘race groups’ (Population Registration Act), set out separate areas for different ‘race groups’ to live in (Group Areas Act), reserved jobs for whites (Job Reservation Act), made it illegal for people to marry across ‘racial’ lines (Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act), and severely limited the rights of black people to live in and move around the urban areas, except for purposes of work and with written permission in the form of passes

(). A young UWC - Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives

In many cities of South Africa vibrant mixed areas, such as , Hugh Masekela recording album Tomorrow whilst in exile , Cato Manor and many others, were ‘cleansed ‘ through photographer Steve Gordon, 1986 the Group Areas Act. Many musicians, writers and political activists emerged from these areas. Famous singers like Dolly Rathebe and Thandi Klaasen began their musical careers in Sophiatown. It was also PASS LAWS/DOMPASS here that the Jazz Epistles band was formed, with Dollar Brand, Kippie Moeketsi, Jonas Gwangwa, Hugh Masekela, Johny Gertse and Laws like the 1913 Native Land Act and its amendments, Early Mabuza. the pass laws, Native Urban Areas Act of 1923 and its various amendments, the Bantu Authorities Act and the Bantu Homelands Citizenship Act of 1970 contributed towards the MEADOWLANDS Otla utlwa makgowa arei creation of a migrant labour system that saw many African You’ll hear the whites say Policeman checking passes workers moving between faraway homes and their places of A song, Meadowlands, written by Eli Weinberg, UWC-Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Are yeng ko Meadowlands Sophiatown forced removals, 1955 work. A number of songs reected on the hated pass laws and Strike Vilakazi, captures the cry of UWC - Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives Let’s move to Meadowlands migrant labour system. One of the songs expressing opposition the former residents of to the pass laws was Asiyifun idompass (We don’t want the Sophiatown who were removed Meadowland Meadowlands dompass). to the township of Meadowlands Meadowlands Meadowlands and other places. Recordings by Meadowlands sithando sam Vivian Booi describes a 2011 commemoration of the Ngquza Hill Nancy Jacobs and Sisters, as well Meadowlands, my love massacre of 6 June 1960, during which the police and army as by Miriam Makeba, made the Otlwa utlwa botsotsi bare attacked a crowd of around 4,000 people protesting against song popular. Because the lyrics the pass laws and independence in Lusikisiki in the were in Setswana and ‘tsotsi taal’ You’ll hear the tsotsis say eastern Cape: the authorities mistakenly Ons dak ni ons pola hier believed that the song expressed We’re not moving, I remember a middle age woman taking centre stage support for the move to we’re staying here Meadowlands Township. and singing the song “Mampondo niyithatheleni Pola hier pola hier idompass” which means “Pondos, why did you take Stay here, stay here the dompass?” Everyone in the tent right from the Pola hier sithando sam young to the old stood up to the song singing Stay here, my love “asiyifuni idompass”, we don’t want the dompass. written by Strike Vilakazi, 1956 It became clear that this song was sung during those dif cult times and it was a song that mobilized and organized the Pondo people to take up arms and confront the Pretoria regime. Vivian Booi, Archival Platform, 22 June, 2011 APARTHEID

MIGRANT LABOUR ORGANIZATIONS BLACK CONSCIOUSNESS MOVEMENT

Many organizations were formed during the course of the struggle against Well-known musicians whose music has reected on the migrant labour system include The Black Consciousness Movement emerged in the 1960s, inuenced by Africanist apartheid. Each of these had their particular freedom songs. Of course, there were Juluka (Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu) and the mbube group, Black Mambazo. writers and leaders in other parts of Africa. Black students, under the leadership of also a number of freedom songs that were common to many different organisations. Juluka’s song, Universal Men, on their debut album by the same name, hauntingly Steve , broke away from the National Union of South African Students to form the Senzeni na, for example, is an old freedom song that was heard within the ANC, Pan captures the experiences of a migrant worker forced to repeat the cycle of moving South African Students Organization (SASO). In 1972 the Black People’s Convention Africanist Congress (PAC), Black Consciousness Movement and other organizations. (BPC)Sobukwe protestingwas established. against pass laws The Black Consciousness Movement called on black people to between rural homeland and urban area. Harry Belafonte, an American based musician, Eli Weinberg, UWC - Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives Regina Brooks and daughter Thandi Mabel Mafuya February 1956 de ne their identity according to their own values. producedJames Madhlope Phillips an singingalbum entitled ParadiseJanuary 1955 in Gazankulu in 1988. A song by the same name photograph by Drum Photographer ©Bailey’s African during rehearsals photograph by Drum Photographer ©Bailey’s African History Archive There were also songs adopted from international struggles. The Red Flag, which UWC-Robben Island Museum onJames the Madhlope album Phillips singing criticised the homelandsReginaHistory Brooks Archive and daughter policy. Thandi Belafonte participatedMabel Mafuya Februaryin the 1956 New Unity Movement UDF: United Democratic Front Sobukwe protesting against pass laws duringMayibuye rehearsals Archives January 1955 photograph by Drum Photographer ©Bailey’s African wasANC Women's often League sung within the South NewUWCAfrican -Unity Robben Movement Island CommunistMuseum Mayibuye Archives Party and tradeUDF:UWC - United Robben unions, DemocraticIsland Museum FrontMayibuyeis an Archives Eli AsWeinberg, Steve UWC - Robben Biko Island Museum explained: Anti-ApartheidUWC-Robben Island Museum Mayibuye ArchivesMovement inphotograph the by DrumUS. Photographer ©Bailey’s African History Archive UWC - Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives UWC - Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives Mayibuye Archives ANCUWC -Women's Robben Island League Museum Mayibuye Archives Bishop at 's History Archive exampleUWC - Robben Island Museumof such Mayibuye Archives a song. It seeks to demonstrate the lie thatSteve Bikoblack is an aberration fromfuneral, theBishop 25 September'normal' Desmond Tutu1977 at Steve Biko's SteveUWC - BikoRobben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives UWC - funeral,Robben Island 25 SeptemberMuseum Mayibuye 1977 Archives UWC - Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives which is white…. It seeks to infuse the black community with a new-foundUWC - Robben Island Museum Mayibuye pride Archives JAMES MADHLOPE PHILLIPS Later on I became a member of the Cape Peninsula Students Union, with in themselves, their efforts, their value systems, their culture, their religion and MIGRANT LABOUR ORGANIZATIONSNeville Alexander, Fikile Bam, Dulcie September, Pallo Jordan…Then I got to BLACKtheirBLACK outlook CONSCIOUSNESS to CONSCIOUSNESS life. MOVEMENT MOVEMENT Also born in Sophiatown in 1919 was James Madhlope Phillips, who became a singer in know (sings) ‘The peoples’ ag is deepest red, it shrouded all our martyred Steve Biko (1978) Sonny’s Jazz Revellers, a band that often performed at Communist Party events. Phillips Manydead’. organizations Then of course were there’s formed the during Internationale the course of(sings) the struggle ‘Arise ye against prisoners of The Black Consciousness Movement emerged in the 1960s, inuenced by Africanist Well-known musicians whose music has reected on the migrant labour system include The Black Consciousness Movement emerged in the 1960s, inuenced by Africanist was treasurer of the Transvaal branch of the African Political Organization, chairperson apartheid.starvation, Each arise of ye these toilers had oftheir the particular earth.’ And freedom then songs.there Ofwas course, another there (sings) were writers and leaders in other parts of Africa. Black students, under the leadership of Juluka (Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu) and the mbube group, Black Mambazo. writersBut some and other leaders songs in other like parts“Senzenini of Africa. na?” Black you students, can still under hear thethat leadership it’s a hymn, of it’s of the Garment Workers Union and a member of the Communist Party and was involved alsowere a also number a number of freedom of freedom songs songsthat were that commonwere common to many to manydifferent different organisations. Steve Biko, broke away from the National Union of South African Students to form Juluka’s song, Universal Men, on their debut album by the same name, hauntingly ‘The voice of the country is sleepless, the factories thunder and weep...’ A gotSteve that Biko, kind broke of awaything from to it, the which National is not Union surprising of South in Africana way becauseStudents oneto form of thethe in the formation of the Transvaal Council of Non-European Trade Unions in 1941. After Senzeniorganisations. na, for Senzeni example, na is, for an example,old freedom is an song old thatfreedom was heardsong that within was the heard ANC, Pan the South African Students Organization (SASO). In 1972 the Black People’s captures the experiences of a migrant worker forced to repeat the cycle of moving Chinese song that we, as students, adopted. The Unity Movement had a lot mostSouth interestingAfrican Students things Organization is that Black (SASO). Consciousness In 1972 the was Black very People’s much Convention linked - the government banned him in 1953, under the Suppression of Communism Act, Phillips Africanistwithin the Congress ANC, Pan (PAC), Africanist Black Congress Consciousness (PAC), MovementBlack Consciousness and other Movement organizations. Convention (BPC) was established. The Black Consciousness Movement called on between rural homeland and urban area. Harry Belafonte, an American based musician, of emphasis on international solidarity. although(BPC) was established.it believed Thevery Black much Consciousness in Socialism Movement - it has a very called heavy on black theological people to ed to England in 1954. He was involved in the founding of Mayibuye, a cultural unit of and other organizations. black people to de ne their identity according to their own values. produced an album entitled Paradise in Gazankulu in 1988. A song by the same name Interview with Marcus Solomon slant.de ne their identity according to their own values. the ANC, and also taught South African freedom songs to choirs in West Germany, There were also songs adopted from international struggles. The Red Flag, which on the album criticised the homelands policy. Belafonte participated in the Interview with Geoff Mamputa Holland, Belgium, Sweden, Wales and the United States. wasThere often were sung also within songs adoptedthe South from African international Communist struggles. Party and The trade Red unions, Flag, which is an As Steve Biko explained: Anti-Apartheid Movement in the US. PAN AFRICANIST CONGRESS As Steve Biko explained: examplewas often of sung such within a song. the South Party and trade unions, is an It seeks to demonstrate the lie that black is an aberration from the 'normal' The PAC, a breakaway group from the ANC with strong Africanist tendencies, was ItSongs seeks like to We demonstrate shall overcome the andlie that Freedom black isn’t is an free aberration were adapted from from the 'normal'the US Civil example of such a song. formed under the leadership of Robert Sobukwe in 1959. whichRightswhich Movement.is white…. is white…. PowerIt seeks It seeks to tothe infuseto people infuse the looked the black black to community events community in Zimbabwe with with a new-found aas new-found a sign of pridehope MABEL MAFUYA Later on I became a member of the Cape Peninsula Students Union, with JAMES MADHLOPE PHILLIPS infor themselves, pridefreedom in themselves, in South their Africa.efforts, their their efforts, value their systems, value systems,their culture, their theirculture, religion their and Later on I became a member of the Cape Peninsula Students Union, with TheNeville PAC…, Alexander, were much Fikile more Bam, military, Dulcie September, but they were Pallo much Jordan…Then more focused I got to theirreligion outlook and to their life. outlook to life. Mabel Mafuya, a less well known singer, sang a number of songs that commented Also born in Sophiatown in 1919 was James Madhlope Phillips, who became a singer in aboutknowNeville (sings)being Alexander, African….‘The peoples’Fikile The Bam, agPAC Dulcie issongs deepest September, were red, more it Palloshrouded Pan-African Jordan…Then all ournot martyredcon ned I got to Steve Biko (1978) I Write What I Like strongly on the political situation. One of these was Regina which she sang in 1956 as Sonny’s Jazz Revellers, a band that often performed at Communist Party events. Phillips Southdead’.to know AfricaThen (sings) of in course terms‘The peoples’ ofthere’s the themes theag Internationale is ofdeepest the song. red, (sings) They it shrouded were ‘Arise very yeall prisoners ourcontinental of – homage to Regina Brooks, a white woman who had been arrested under the Immorality was treasurer of the Transvaal branch of the African Political Organization, chairperson talkingstarvation,martyred about dead’. arise Africa Thenye toilers as of a coursecontinent. of the there’s earth.’ the And Internationale then there was (sings) another ‘Arise (sings) ye But some other songs like “Senzenini na?” you can still hear that it’s a hymn, Act for having a child with a black policeman, Sergeant Richard Khumalo. Mafuya also But some other songs like “Senzenini na?” you can still hear that it’s a hymn, it’s of the Garment Workers Union and a member of the Communist Party and was involved ‘Theprisoners voice of of starvation, the country arise is sleepless, ye toilers the of factoriesthe earth.’ thunderInterview And then and with there weep...’ Jeff was Mamputa A it’s got that kind of thing to it, which is not surprising in a way because one sang Asikhathali in 1957 (by Ruth Moli and the Starlight Singers), which became a got that kind of thing to it, which is not surprising in a way because one of the in the formation of the Transvaal Council of Non-European Trade Unions in 1941. After another (sings) ‘The voice of the country is sleepless, the factories thunder popular freedom song. Other songs by Mafuya included Cato Manor and Beer Halls, Chinese song that we, as students, adopted. The Unity Movement had a lot mostof interestingthe most interesting things is thatthings Black is that Consciousness Black Consciousness was very wasmuch very linked much - the government banned him in 1953, under the Suppression of Communism Act, Phillips which told the story of the women enforcing beer hall boycotts in Durban and ofUNITEDand emphasis weep...’ AFRICA onA Chinese international song thatsolidarity. we, as students, adopted. The Unity althoughlinked -it although believed itvery believed much invery Socialism much in - Socialismit has a very - it heavyhas a verytheological heavy ed to England in 1954. He was involved in the founding of Mayibuye, a cultural unit of Azikwelwa about the 1957 Alexandra bus boycotts. Her music was recorded by WelaMovement i-Limpopo had aSobukwe, lot of emphasis Dumelisang on international Kwameh NkrumahInterview solidarity. with Marcus Solomon slant.theological slant. the ANC, and also taught South African freedom songs to choirs in West Germany, Troubador Records. Mafuya’s Nomathemba, which reected on the disruptions caused United States of Africa, Bamba isandla som-AfrikaInterview ... with Marcus Solomon Interview with Geoff Mamputa Holland, Belgium, Sweden, Wales and the United States. by the migrant labour system, also proved to be a hit. ComePAN AFRICANIST down spirit CONGRESS of Sobukwe (CrossThePAN PAC, AFRICANIST the a Limpopobreakaway CONGRESS Sobukwe, group from Greet the ANCKwameh with strongNkrumah Africanist tendencies, was SongsSongs like like We We shall shall overcome overcome and and Freedom Freedom isn’t isn’t free free were were adapted adapted from from the the US USCivil Civil formedThe PAC, under a breakaway the leadership group offrom Robert the ANC Sobukwe with strongin 1959. Africanist tendencies, was MABEL MAFUYA United States of Africa, Take the hand of Africa...) RightsRights Movement. Movement. Power Power to theto the people people looked looked to eventsto events in Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe as aas sign a sign of hopeof formed under the leadership of Robert Sobukwe in 1959. for hopefreedom for freedomin South inAfrica. South Africa. The PAC…, were much more military, but they were much more focused Mabel Mafuya, a less well known singer, sang a number of songs that commented aboutThe PAC…, being were African…. much moreThe PAC military, songs but were they more were Pan-African much more not focused con ned to strongly on the political situation. One of these was Regina which she sang in 1956 as Southabout Africabeing African….in terms of The the PAC themes songs of werethe song. more They Pan-African were very not continental con ned – homage to Regina Brooks, a white woman who had been arrested under the Immorality talkingto South about Africa Africa in terms as a of continent. the themes of the song. They were very Act for having a child with a black policeman, Sergeant Richard Khumalo. Mafuya also continental – talking about Africa as a continent. Interview with Jeff Mamputa sang Asikhathali in 1957 (by Ruth Moli and the Starlight Singers), which became a Interview with Jeff Mamputa popular freedom song. Other songs by Mafuya included Cato Manor and Beer Halls, which told the story of the women enforcing beer hall boycotts in Durban and UNITED AFRICA Sobukwe protesting against pass laws Azikwelwa about the 1957 Alexandra bus boycotts. Her music was recorded by WelaUNITED i-Limpopo AFRICA Sobukwe, Dumelisang Kwameh Nkrumah Eli Weinberg, UWC - Robben Island Museum Azikwelwa about the 1957 Alexandra bus boycotts. Her music was recorded by Mayibuye Archives Regina Brooks and daughter Thandi Mabel Mafuya February 1956 James Madhlope Phillips singing January 1955 Wela i-Limpopo Sobukwe, Dumelisang Kwameh Nkrumah Troubador Records. Mafuya’s Nomathemba, which reected on thephotograph disruptions by Drum Photographer ©Bailey’s caused African United States of Africa, Bamba isandla som-Afrika ... during rehearsals photograph by Drum Photographer ©Bailey’s African History Archive byUWC-Robben the Island migrant Museum labour system, Historyalso Archive proved to be a hit. byMayibuy thee Archives migrant labour system, also proved to be a hit. ComeUnited down States spirit of Africa, of Sobukwe Bamba isandla som-Afrika ... New Unity Movement UDF: United Democratic Front (CrossComeANC Women's downthe League Limpopo spirit of Sobukwe, Sobukwe Greet UWC - Robben IslandKwameh Museum Mayibuye Archives Nkrumah UWC - Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives UWC - Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives Bishop Desmond Tutu at Steve Biko's (Cross the Limpopo Sobukwe, Greet Kwameh Nkrumah Steve Biko funeral, 25 September 1977 United States of Africa, Take the hand of Africa...) UWC - Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives UWC - Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives United States of Africa, Take the hand of Africa...) ARMED STRUGGLE

A state clampdown on political organisations and activists following protests against the saw many people ee into exile. The banning of the ANC, PAC and other organisations ushered in an era of armed struggle. This was also re ected in the militant lyrics of songs that were sung during this period.

LIBERATION GROUPS

An album entitled This Land is Mine – South African Freedom Songs, based on songs by South African refugees in Tanganyika (Tanzania) and recorded in the USA in 1964, has a song with the title uSobukwe ufuna amaJoni (Sobukwe wants Soldiers). Wankie soldiers crossing stream UWC - Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives The rst armed wing, formed in the face of the banning and repression following Sharpeville NANG’ UMKHONTO was the National Liberation Committee (NLC) Nang’ uMkhonto usu kile, Baleka Vorster, nang’ formed by a group of young liberals in 1960. Here is uMkhonto, it has arrived, Flee Vorster, In May 1964, the NLC was renamed the African uMkhonto usu kile. Thina singuMkhonto we Resistance Movement (ARM). here is uMkhonto it has arrived. We are The PAC formed its underground military wing, Sizwe, sikhokhelwa nguMandela, singaMasoja Poqo, in February 1960. More than fty Poqo uMkhonto we Sizwe, we are led by Mandela, members were executed in the 1960s and Poqo kaLuthuli, silwel’ iNkululeko, kudala sihlupekile, zzled out. In 1968 the PAC formed the African we are soldiers of Luthuli, we are ghting for Peoples Liberation Army (APLA) in exile. freedom, we have been suffering for long, The ANC launched its armed wing, uMkhonto mayibuye iAfrika eyathatwa ngamaBhunu we Sizwe (MK) in December 1961, with Nelson may Africa which was stolen by the Boers return Mandela as its Commander in Chief. Mkohonto we Sizwe Mkohonto we Sizwe

MK cadres being trained for combat MK cadres in training UWC - Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives UWC - Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives ARMED STRUGGLE

GUERILLA, YIZA MNTANAM (1980’s) Hey, Guerilla! Chorus - Yiza mntanam, mntanam! Come my child, my child

Sizolwa neBhulu! Guerilla madoda! Umkhonto we Sizwe / MK/ Spear of the nation launched 16 December 1961 We will ght the Boer! Guerilla men! UWC - Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives Umkhonto we Sizwe was launched in 1961 pass of ces and pylons were targeted and bombed Yiza mntanam, mntanam! UWC - Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives Come my child, my child Sizolwa neBhulu! Guerilla! Guerilla! We will ght the Boer! Guerilla! Guerilla! Guerilla ye APLA! Guerilla of APLA

Thandi Modise joined Umkhonto we Sizwe and Hey! Guerilla! trained in Hey Guerilla! UWC - Robben Island Museum Mayibuye Archives

FREEDOM FIGHTERS

A former Non-European Unity Movement (NEUM) member, Radio Freedom, the ANC’s clandestine radio station was set Dr Neville Alexander, played a leading role in the formation up inside the country in 1963 but soon moved into exile. of the Yu Chi Chan Club (YCCC) in 1962, with the aim of Radio Freedom operated from Tanzania, , conducting guerrilla warfare. The YCCC’s members included and Zambia. In a situation in which the apartheid government Marcus Solomon, Kenneth Abrahams, Dulcie September, manipulated and controlled the media, Radio Freedom was able Ottilie Abrahams, Andreas Shipinga, and Fikile Bam. to serve as an alternative source of information. Its broadcasts Alexander later set up the National Liberation Front to bring included news and music. Radio Freedom played freedom songs together people committed to the overthrow of the state. as well as the music of exiled musicians. Although the South However, by the end of 1963 Alexander and other members African government tried to jam transmissions some of the of the YCCC had been arrested and convicted on conspiracy Radio Freedom broadcasts did get through to reach people in to commit sabotage by the end of 1963. South Africa. Many listeners in the country learned freedom songs through the Radio Freedom broadcasts. If you had been there with them in Quibaxe …You will feel with them the beating of feet lifted in toyi-toyi. AK’s held above their heads as a platoon prances its I listened to Radio Freedom when I was at school but not way up the road that leads from the camp gate into the so much then. Only in 1981 when I managed to get myself bush, voices grunting in unison Hau! Hau! You will hear a short wave radio; ja. Sony, I remember, it was a digital the sound of a freedom song: one; so I could listen more regularly to shortwave. Interview with Cecyl Esau Siyobashiy’ abazal’ ekhaya We will leave our parents at home And one guy brought this supersonic radio, this old radio. Saphuma, sangena kwamanya ‘mazwe I think it was round about 1981 then, and then they said, We departed. We entered other countries “This is the voice of the ANC from exile” So we were then Lapha okungazi khon’ Obaba noMama recruited to go and listen to these things, to this radio of Places unknown to our mothers and fathers freedom, coming from north. So then I became little bit Silandel’ inkululeko more involved, went to listen to this Radio Freedom, you We are following freedom see; in 5th Avenue, with Mteks Simayo. But amazingly, today he is a policeman; the very same guy who was Barry Gilder, 2012, making us to listen to Radio Freedom. Songs & Secrets: South Africa Interview with Ronny Nyuka from Liberation to Governance